embrace

1
[ em-breys ]
See synonyms for: embraceembracedembracesembracing on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),em·braced, em·brac·ing.
  1. to take or clasp in the arms; press to the bosom; hug.

  2. to take or receive gladly or eagerly; accept willingly: to embrace an idea.

  1. to avail oneself of: to embrace an opportunity.

  2. to adopt (a profession, a religion, etc.): to embrace Buddhism.

  3. to take in with the eye or the mind.

  4. to encircle; surround; enclose: a secret garden embraced by wild shrubs.

  5. to include or contain: An encyclopedia embraces a great number of subjects.

verb (used without object),em·braced, em·brac·ing.
  1. to join in an embrace.

noun
  1. an act or instance of embracing.

Origin of embrace

1
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Anglo-French, Old French embracier, equivalent to em- em-1 + bracier “to embrace,” derivative of brace “the two arms”; see brace

synonym study For embrace

7. See include.

Other words for embrace

Opposites for embrace

Other words from embrace

  • em·brace·a·ble, adjective
  • em·brace·ment, noun
  • em·brac·er, noun
  • un·em·brace·a·ble, adjective

Words Nearby embrace

Other definitions for embrace (2 of 2)

embrace2
[ em-breys ]

verb (used with object),em·braced, em·brac·ing.Law.
  1. to attempt to influence (a judge or jury) through corrupt means.

Origin of embrace

2
First recorded in 1420–1475; late Middle English: “to influence, prejudice, bribe (a jury),” perhaps the same word as embrace1

Other words from embrace

  • em·brac·er, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use embrace in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for embrace (1 of 2)

embrace1

/ (ɪmˈbreɪs) /


verb(mainly tr)
  1. (also intr) (of a person) to take or clasp (another person) in the arms, or (of two people) to clasp each other, as in affection, greeting, etc; hug

  2. to accept (an opportunity, challenge, etc) willingly or eagerly

  1. to take up (a new idea, faith, etc); adopt: to embrace Judaism

  2. to comprise or include as an integral part: geology embraces the science of mineralogy

  3. to encircle or enclose

noun
  1. the act of embracing

  2. (often plural) euphemistic sexual intercourse

Origin of embrace

1
C14: from Old French embracier, from em- + brace a pair of arms, from Latin bracchia arms

Derived forms of embrace

  • embraceable, adjective
  • embracement, noun
  • embracer, noun

British Dictionary definitions for embrace (2 of 2)

embrace2

/ (ɪmˈbreɪs) /


verb
  1. (tr) criminal law to commit or attempt to commit embracery against (a jury, etc)

Origin of embrace

2
C15: back formation from embraceor

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012